MLS Updates [new stuff added]

We are patiently awaiting news from DCU world headquarters (aka Estadio RFK) and those shadowy places throughout Planet MLS for what you really want to hear. Take your pick: Gomez? Gallardo? Carvallo? Martinez? Peralta? Vanney? Arguez?

[UPDATE WITH GALLARDO NEWS]

Marcelo Gallardo tells Argentine radio that he rejected an offer from San Lorenzo and has made the "choice of a lifetime" to join MLS from Paris Saint-Germain. The story also mentions D.C. United, but it does not come directly from Gallardo. He also said he consulted with New York's Juan Pablo Angel before reaching a decision.

In the meantime.....

*I'm told by a reliable source that the Pablo Mastroeni sweepstakes is down to two clubs. Unfortunately, no other specifics. But I have heard that Colorado was asking too much to work out a deal with most other teams, including New England.

*Remember when we told you last week that Eddie Johnson had abruptly left U.S. camp to finish negotiations with Fulham? Done deal. Read about it here.

*I just can't stop thinking about the Greg Vanney situation and the lack of clarity in the presumed negotiations with DCU on a new contract. This is a hunch, just a hunch, but perhaps with at least one and perhaps two defenders arriving, United is planning to trade him to Real Salt Lake. Why RSL? Vanney and assistant coach Robin Fraser go back many years and remain good friends, and RSL could use some backline experience following Eddie Pope's retirement. Again, just random speculation. (Of course, with my luck, DCU will announce later today that they've re-signed Vanney to a 10-year contract.)

*Finally, I do not often plug the Empire (aka BSPN, aka ESPN), but this seems to be a worthy endeavor on their part:

On Sunday night, during the 11 p.m. ET "SportsCenter," ESPN will tell the story of how thousands of Iraqi children have benefited from the generosity of late Army Private Nick Madaras who was killed in Baqubah, Iraq on Sept. 3, 2006, after a roadside bomb detonated near his dismounted patrol unit. A passionate soccer player, three-year starter at Wilton (Conn.) High School, teenage referee and devoted youth coach, Madaras served in Iraq and would often see children playing soccer with old balls or even tin cans. He asked his parents to send used soccer balls so he could distribute them to the Iraqi children, but before they could fulfill his request, Madaras was killed in action. However, a Wilton resident read of Nick's request, approached the Madaras family with the idea of collecting soccer balls, putting Nick's name on them, and sending them to Iraq where U.S. soldiers would distribute them.